Berneeta Joan “Sally” Holeman Lewing
1-16-1932 to 4-10-2025
Berneeta Joan “Sally” Holeman was born January 16, 1932 in Fort Smith, Arkansas to parents Cecelia McNally and Claude Holeman. Sally passed peacefully on April 10, 2025 at the age of 93 with the support of Hospice Care at the Hunters Pointe Senior Living Center in Helena, Montana.
Sally’s family moved her to Butte, Montana during her teenage years. One of her first jobs was sewing the linings for coffins made by the Montana Casket Company, which was jointly owned by two McNally brothers. In 1950 Sally married James Walter Trankel, also of Butte, Montana. At that time, she was employed by Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph.
Music has been a huge part of Sally’s life. She was a very accomplished piano player and organist. While a student at Girls Central High School in Butte she was frequently listed in the Social Events section of The Montana Standard. Sally performed solo musical numbers and readings, was frequently cited as accompanist to fellow students who played the trombone and trumpet and was listed as the Student Conductor. In addition to her extensive musical accomplishments, she took 2nd place in a district speech meet.
Sally is survived by the 7 children born of her marriage to James W. Trankel: Mary Anne Trankel, Crystal Marie Yetter, Susan May Broadwater, Nancy Jane Harrop, Diane Lucille Trankel, James Barry Trankel, and Thomas Alan Trankel. The Trankel family lived in several Montana cities, but spent most of their lives in East Helena, Montana.
While her children were young Sally poured a lot of energy into community activities so she could be an active part of her children’s lives. This included helping start a Women’s Softball Team as well as a Girls Softball team in East Helena, Montana. She also taught girls in a 4-H group how to sew and always went a step above and beyond in her projects. For example, while scouting for sewing machines that could be donated for use in the 4-H sewing project, she procured a few treadle sewing machines so the girls could see and feel how the first sewing machines worked.
Sally was an extremely intelligent woman and honed in on many crafts that were self-taught. She could sew, knit, and crochet. She kept her children warm with a never-ending supply of handmade slippers, gloves, mittens and hats that were knitted or crocheted to perfection. Her “incredible” beer can hats were an entire family affair. There were several styles available – from baseball hats to floppy brimmed hats.
She was also an avid gardener. Sally’s backyard garden was the envy of many, and she was always happy to share her crops with neighbors and friends. Sally was a great cook and taught her grandchildren how to make her “famous” biscuits and honey in cast iron pans. This is one of many precious memories they will carry of Sally throughout their lives.
Later in life Sally met and married Edward Lewing. They combined their musical talents and interests to produce religious songs in the recording studio they set up in the basement of their home in East Helena. They bought music mixing equipment, microphones and speakers. Sally then proceeded to teach herself how to “mix” and “remix” their recordings to produce very professional music CDs. Talented musicians from all over Montana would play with Ed and Sally in their studio, where joy and music filled their lives.
Sally worked for several years and subsequently retired as a Loan Officer with the Veterans Administration in Helena.
Visitation will be from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Thursday, April 24, 2025, at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home 3750 N. Montana Avenue. A funeral service celebrating Sally’s life will be 10:30 a.m. Friday April 25th at the funeral home. a reception will be held immediately following the service. Burial will be at Deep Creek Cemetery in Townsend at approximately 1:30 p.m.
Berneeta Joan “Sally” Holeman was born January 16, 1932 in Fort Smith, Arkansas to parents Cecelia McNally and Claude Holeman. Sally passed away, peacefully on April 10, 2025 at the age of 93 with the support of Hospice Care at Hunters Pointe Senior Living Center in Helena, MT.
Sally’s family moved her to Butte, Mt during her teenage years. While a student at Girls Central High School in Butte, she was frequently listed in the Social Events section of the Montana Standard, stating her accompaniments was enhancing to fellow students who played trombone and trumpet.
She met her love, James Walter Trankel, also of Butte, Mt. in school and they got married soon after. They moved to Helena MT where she raised their seven beautiful children. As the children grew older, she was able to return to work and worked for the Veteran’s administration and subsequently retired there as a Loan Officer.
Sally was an extremely intelligent woman and honed in on many crafts, much, or if not all, was self taught. Sally could sew, knit, crochet, play organ and piano, cook, plant and garden, just to name a few. Her backyard garden was the envy of many. She shared her crops with everyone and was happy to do so. She kept her children warm with the never-ending supply of handmade slippers, gloves, mittens and hats all knitted or crocheted to perfection. We will never forget the incredible “beer can” hats, from baseball styles to floppy brimmed. It was a whole family affair. She taught her grandchildren how to make her “famous” biscuits and honey made in the cast iron pans which will be a memory for life.
Sally and Jim divorced in 1989. She met another love, Ed Lewing and soon married him. He also had seven children of his own. Ed and Sally spent their time together gardening, singing and playing music together. Ed handmade the most beautiful guitars, they were incredible. Talented muscians from around the town would go to their house and play with Ed and Sally where joy and music filled their lives.
Sally is survived by her only sister, Carole Ann Holeman, living in England now. Sally’s 7 children born of her 1st marriage to James W. Trankel. Mary Anne Trankel (Don Gilder), Crystal Yetter, Susan “Suzi” Broadwater (Kendall), Nancy Harrop (Steve), Diane Trankel, James Trankel and Tom Trankel (Linda). Step children of Ed Lewing. Yevonne (Gary), Deborah Burns, Edward Lewing Jr., Rhonda Elliott (Stan), Claudia Lewing. Numerous loving, grandchildren, great grandchildren nieces and nephews.
Sally is preceded in death by her mother and father Ceclia and Claude Holeman, two brothers Donald Holeman and Joseph (Barry) Holeman. Her Aunt Helen McNally and Uncle Bernard McNally, James W. Trankel, Mary Agnes (Mae) Trankel (mother- in-law), husband Ed Lewing, Kenneth Lewing and Wanda Lewing.
Visitation will be from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Thursday, April 24, 2025, at Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home 3750 N. Montana Avenue. A funeral service celebrating Sally’s life will be 10:30 a.m. Friday April 25th at the funeral home. a reception will be held immediately following the service. Burial will be at Deep Creek Cemetery in Townsend at approximately 1:30 p.m.
Service Schedule
Visitation
12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Thursday April 24, 2025
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana
Reception
Immediately following the service
Friday April 25, 2025
Social Center of the Funeral Home
,
Service Schedule
Visitation
12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Thursday April 24, 2025
Anderson Stevenson Wilke Funeral Home
3750 N. Montana Avenue
Helena, Montana
Reception
Immediately following the service
Friday April 25, 2025
Social Center of the Funeral Home
,
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Scott St. Clair says
Condolences to the family of Sally. Try to focus on the good memories during this time. Suzie you and Kendal especially are in my thoughts. Scott
Sherry and Tom Cladouhos says
Suzi and Kendal and family.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Your Mom was loved and very talented and will be missed.
Love you both!
Susan Broadwater says
With heartfelt gratitude, we honor Marie Lavinder for the extraordinary compassion and unwavering care she gave to Sally over the past three years. Marie’s cheery presence, steady guidance, and deep devotion brought comfort not only to Sally, but to all who loved her. In Sally’s final days, Marie went above and beyond—ensuring she was surrounded by peace, dignity, and love. Our thanks will never be enough, but they are offered with full hearts.
Carol Paulsen says
So sorry to hear about Sally. Thinking of your family at this sad time.
Larry Houser says
Ed and Sally had a great run, I first met them about 1998, and spent a bit of time with them as I acquired 4 of Ed’s guitars. Still have them and glad I met them. They were great people.